Differing fates for the two Spanish teams who played tonight in their respective Groups (A & D). FC BARCELONA drew 2-2 against CHELSEA, who managed to score in the extra time & VALENCIA drew 2- 2 away in the Ukraine with a tough battle against SHAKTHAR.
Some will say the referee influenced the result with a RED card that was forgiven to COLE, numerous incidents & extra time beyond the reasonable that allowed Chelsea to drew. The fact is that Barcelona let the game slip from their grasp with lapses of concentration that cost them dearly in the end. Barça scored early thanks to DECO & seemed to have it under control, but LAMPARD scored to equalize & shift the balance. The 2 º half saw a dominanting Barca with a goal by GUDJOHNSEN that gave them the superiority & when it was all in the bag, a breakdown in concentration saw a Chelsea counter-attack that ended in DROGBAscoring & clinching the equalizer - pictured below. Barcelona lost it to a determined & lucky Chelsea. This complicates it for Barca & now needs to win all its remaining matches & have same luck with others losing. GROUP A ladder: 1. Chelsea 10pts 2. Werder .B 7pts 3. Fc Barcelona 5pts 4. Levski 0pts
VIDEO SUMMARY OF THE BARÇA - CHELSEA MATCH
In Group D VALENCIA CF played a tough Ukrainian SHAKHTER side & drew 2-2. The Ukrainian player JADSEN - pictured - scored a free kick & set his side on fire.
Valencia kept its nerve & MORIENTESpulled one back, proving he is one of the great Champions League strikers.
FERNANDINHO of Shakhtar scored later & set his team rolling , then once again, Valencia via AYALA scored & drew. Valencia secures its qualification & heads its group. GROUP D ladder: 1. Valencia CF 10pts 2. Roma 7pts 3. Olympiacos 2pts 4. Shakhtar 2 pts
Two Spanish teams with the same result but with different fates. Barça has it real stiff at this moment.Tweet
Big night of EUROPEAN CUP clashes tonight with 2 Spanish teams in action. FC BARCELONA plays a do or die match at home against CHELSEA in their GROUP A match. Its a must win situation forBarça who lost 1-0 away to the English team. Speed will be the key here& players like Messi, Deco,Xavi & Ronaldinho will be crucial.
Spanish press give us the possible line ups: FC BARCELONA:Valdes; Zambrotta;Puyol; Marquez; Gio; Deco; Edmilson; Xavi; Messi; Ronaldinho & Gudjohnsen CHELSEA:Hilario;Ferreira; Terry;Carvalho;Bridge;Cole; Lampard; Ballock;Robben; Shevchenko & Drogba
VALENCIA CF plays Ukrainian side SHAKHTAR with the comfort that they play to secure their place & qualification in their GROUP D. The Spanish side are ingood European form & go in with their two strikers DAVID VILLA & FERNANDO MORIENTES.
REAL MADRID substitutes have a bad time accepting that they are substitutes. Its here were we see the true professionalism of each player.
Take the first of these players, ANTONIO CASSANO.
He has been parted from the team & fined by the club after insulting his coach Fabio Capello for not putting him on. Can you believe the nerve, a football player who has´nt proved anything while in Spain & who has no arguements to be put on the field, shows his true nature. This is´nt the first time he pulls the tantrum, perhaps its a good time to sell this player, this poor player.
Here is the other example, DAVID BECKHAM. He´s been on the bench for sometime, he is one of the richest & most famous player of the planet, Ex- Captain of England, European Champion, English League, FA Cup winner...on & on.
Should not he be "pissed off".
No, he goes out today to the press & says that he wishes to stay & finish his career at REAL MADRID. The he believes in this proyect & wishes to win a title with this club. When he finishes he wishes to go out in true style. He will fight to regain his place with hard work.
One player thinks in himself only & the other in his club & teammates.
WHO HAS THE TRUE CLASS? WHO IS THE TRUE PROFESSIONAL?Tweet
The rest of Round 8 games of the SPANISH LEAGUE - "LA LIGA" have given some surprising & revealing results, as GETAFE´s win which has Schuster´s (coach) team on a winning roll. SEVILLE FC put a stop to CELTA & its winning ways, MALLORCA put deeper in trouble BETIS , VILLAREAL held a poor REAL SOCIEDAD & ATLETICO DE MADRID continues it´s downhill trend.
DE MORAL of GETAFE celebrates the 1º goal
NACHO scores Getafe´s second
ADRIANO scored the second & winning goal for SEVILLE FC, Celta could have drawed, but Seville´s goalkeeper PALOP stop the penalty shot.
ATLETICO DE MADRID lost at home 0-1 to a well organized ZARAGOZA.This is the 3rd consecutive loss for Atletico.
ROUND 8 RESULTS & SCORERS: Celta 1 (Nene) - Seville FC 2 ( Poulsten; Adriano) Getafe 2 (de Moral;Nacho) - Deportivo 0 Betis 0 - Mallorca 1 ( Jankovic) R.Sociedad 0 - Villareal 1 (Arruabarrena) Levante 0 - Espanyol 0 Osasuna 1 ( Soldado) - At.Bilbao 1 (Gabilando) Racing 1 (Munitis) - Valencia 0 Fc Barcelona 3 (Ronaldinho 2; Xavi) - Recreativo 0 Ginmastic 1 (Baudes) - Real Madrid 3 (R.Carlos; Helguera; Robinho) At.Madrid 0 - Zaragoza 1 (0scar Gonzalez) CLASSIFICATION LADDER - ROUND 8: 1.Fc Barcelona 19pts 2.Seville FC 18pts 3.Real Madrid 17pts 4.Zaragoza 16pts 5.Valencia CF 16pts 6.Getafe 16pts See below the reviews & results of the Saturday games: Barça, Real Madrid & Valencia, on the below post.
Here is the VIDEO of yesterday´s 1-3REAL MADRID win against a fighty GIMNASTIC DE TARRAGONA with a nice Robinho goal Tweet
Another Spaniard is WORLDCHAMPION this year in GP MOTO. Following in the steps of Alvaro Bautista in 125cc, JORGE LORENZO secured the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP by finishing 4th in the VALENCIAN GP (Spain) , & importantly, ahead of A.Dovizioso, in the 250cccatagory. Its been a great seson for Lorenzowith 8 Gp wins & a clear sign of maturity. Congratulations.
Good news in the 125cc catagory for Spanish riders.
HECTOR FAUBEL -pictured- won the race & another Spaniard , GADEA finished 3º.
Recently crowned World Champ Spaniard Alvaro Bautista finished 4º
In the GP catagory NICKY HAYDEN become the new World Champ.Tweet
Three games have been played of "LA LIGA" Round 8. The surprise was the loss of VALENCIA , while FC BARCELONA played well & won & REAL MADRID also grabbed the 3 points after a tough match.
RONALDINHO steered his team to victory & scored twice
XAVI HERNANDEZ played well & scored
VALENCIA CF lost away to RACING DE SANTANDER with a goal from Munitis
GIMNASTIC DE TARRAGONA took the lead from a penalty. Real Madrid was playing badly & was out of place.
REAL MADRID drew with a ROBERT CARLOS free kick & began to take control with later goals from IVAN HELGUERA & a real "cracker" from ROBINHO
RESULTS & SCORERS: FC Bareclona 3 (Ronaldinho 2; Xavi) - Recreativo 0 Racing 1 (Munitis) - Valencia CF 0 Gimnastic 1 (Buades) - Real Madrid 3 (R.Carlos;I.Helguera;Robinho)Tweet
Latest: Real Sociedad has sacked its coach JOSE MARI BAKERO after its disasterous start to the season were it is currently at the bottom of the ladder.
Spanish press coment that new coach will be Miguel Angel Lotina, ex-coach Osasuna, ex-coach of Espanyol.
Another weekend of great Football & games in "La Liga" Round 8 Fixture: Celta - Seville Getafe - Deportivo Betis - Mallorca R.Sociedad - Villareal Levante - Espanyol Osasuna - At.Bilbao At.Madrid - Zaragoza Racing - Valencia - Saturday Fc Barcelona - Recreativo - Saturday Gimnastic - Real Madrid - SaturdayTweet
The beauty of the SPANISH CUP is that big meet small & its always full of surprises. The bigger clubs save their better players & the smaller clubs go out with a "nothing to lose attitude", its a real tough affair, as Atletico last night felt with its 0-1 loss - see below post for yesterdays scores.
Tonight the rest of the games were played & you can see the scores & scorers below.
Fc BARCELONA faced a tough 1º leg match against BADALONA & managed to settle late in the second half.
REAL MADRID away to ECIJA with a "reserve" team only managed to draw its 1º leg match.
DEPORTIVO - below - managed a slim win against RACING DE SANTANDER
Two games were played tonight in Round 3 of the SPANISH CUP. The 1º leg saw the inclusion of the 1º Division teams & we see the 1º surprise. ATLETICO DE MADRID has lost 0 - 1 to LEVANTE with a late goal by Nino - pictured below - in the 87min. This gives Levante the away goal advantage for the return leg. Atletico has´nt been able to recover from the injury blow of 3 important players: Maxi, Petrov & Mista.
In the other game ALAVES drew 0 - 0 with CELTA OF VIGO Tomorrow the rest of the matches will be played. See the below post for the full fixture.
Bad days ahead for Atletico, what´s your thoughts?Tweet
The victory of REAL MADRID over FC BARCELONA last Sunday is seen as the beginning of the improvement & back to form that everyone expects from a team with the players & tradition that Real has in its possesion.
Spanish daily "AS" has given its 7 reasons for the improvements with the opinions of local sporting journalists. Here ar the 7: 1. Guti is the creative player & Emerson attempts to find & feed him as often as possible. 2. Emerson. 19 touches against Atletico, 49 against Barça. 3. Ivan Helguera & Cannavaro make a good partnership in defence; they understand each other well. 4. Sergio Ramas in the right back position. Multi use & pace. 5. The team unity. Playing like a team & not like individual stars. 6. Robinho, gives speed up front & drives the defence crazy. 7. Raul moved to the right forward position. Does´nt run as much, conserves his energy, workload & is focused at goal - 5 already.
Whats your opinion, do you agree or disagree? Tweet
SPANISH CUP rounds today & tomorrow with the introduction of the 1º Division teams beginning their long road towards the final. Here is the list of games that will be played:
Tuesday: Alavés - Celta 20.45 Atlético Madrid - Levante 21.00
The REAL MADRID v FC BARCELONA match has eclipsed all other matches of Round 7. The final score of "el clasico" saw Real Madrid beat Barça 2- 0 at the Bernabeu with goals from RAUL ( 2m) & VAN NISTELROOY ( 50m)
Raul surprised everyone with a quick goal in the 2 min with a perfect header
Raul celebrates his goal & is showing us again his class & that he is gaining in form.
DIARRA played well alongside GUTI, who controlled the midfield all night
Great night for SERGIO RAMOS who gave the pass of Raul ´s goal & controlled his wing.
Ronaldinho was not at his finest.
In the 50th minute VAN NISTELROOY put the final nail in the coffin with a great goal from a Robinho pass.
Great night for this young man, ROBINHO, who run all night with passes & shots at goal.
Real Madrid regain confidence with this important win & should now have the calmness needed for future matches & consolidation in the ladder.
ROUND 7 RESULTS: Espanyol 2 (Tamudo 2) - Racing 2 ( Munitis, Chica) Valencia 1 (D.Villa) - Osasuna 0 At.Bilbao 0 - Celta 1 ( Baiano) Seville 2 (Kanoute 2) - Nastic 1 ( Cueller) Recreativo 1 (Pongolle) - Getafe 2 (Pachon,del Moral) Mallorca 0 - Real Sociedad 0 Zaragoza 2 (D.Milito 2) - Betis 1(Robert) Villareal 1 (Jonathan) - Levante 1 (Camacho) Real Madrid 2 (Raul, Van Nistelrooy) - Fc Barcelona 0 Deportivo 1 (Arizmendi) - At.Madrid 0
LADDER: 1. Fc Barcelona 16pts 2. Valencia CF 16pts 3. Seville FC 15pts 4. Real Madrid 14pts 5.Deportivo 14pts 6.Zaragoza 13pts.Tweet
FERNANDO ALONSO has secured his 2º WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP after finishing 2º in the Brazialian GP behind Felipe Massa.
Alonso also took RENAULT to win the constructors World Title & tires Michellen to the top. Alonso now leaves Renault to defend his title next year with McClaren. Michael Schumacher had problems early with his tires but recovered as a true champion to finish 4th & now leave GP.
Final Result: 1. Massa 2. Alonso 3. Button 4. M.Schumacher 5. Raikkonen.
Congratulations Fernando & we will miss you MichaelTweet
Three games were played last night in the 1º division of "LA LIGA". The news was the defeat of Atletico de Madrid & the loss of its player MISTA to injury. Atletico is going through a nightmare of injuries already lossing Maxi, Petrov & now Mista who will be out for a month.
These 2 players meet tonight in the "clasico" , REAL MADRID v FC BARCELONA. Big match , big expectations & big Football. All the news , update & comments later on with the result of this match & all the rest of matches of the "Liga".Tweet
Here is the fixture for Round 7 of the 1º Division of - "La Liga" - Spanish Football. The highlight is the clash between REAL MADRID - FC BARCELONA, where you can read more on the below post as well.
Big night for these 2 youngsters ROBINHO & MESSI to show all their talent & class. These matches are the perfect setting to take you to the heights of World Football, if you play well & score.
ROUND 7 FIXTURE Real Madrid - FC Barcelona At. Bilbao - Celta Deportivo - At. Madrid Espanyol - Racing Santander Seville - Nastic Valencia - Osasuna Zaragoza - Betis Mallorca - R.Sociedad Villareal - Levante Recreativo - Getafe
Leave your comments on the below post & give your score for the Real Madrid - Barça gameTweet
SFS wishes to begin early & warm up what is considered one of WORLD FOOTBALL´s best & classical matches, the REAL MADRID vs FC BARCELONA game. This weekend Barça travels to Madrid to play the game that stops a nation - "el clasico"
Spanish daily "Marca" gives us these impressive layouts & advances what its expert journalists consider will be the line ups: both for Real & Barça; first up Real Madrid.
The novelty with Real is that Helguera "returns from the dead" in defence & pushes Sergio Ramos to right -back ( the position he plays in the National side). Robinho grabs the left forward position & Raul the right forward position. The Brazilian Ronaldo misses due to a Red Card in last weeks match against Getafe.
FC Barcelona goes into the classic with a defeat against Chelsea & this must have given rise to some questions, specially upfront were the absence of Samuel Eto´o is starting to be noticed.
However, nothing like a match of this calibre to lift spirits & get back on your winning way. Below is the lineup according to the Sp. press
¿Who do you think will win? ¿Confident to give us a score?
News Flash - UEFA CUP results Osasuna 0 - Heerenveen 0 Sl Liberec 0 - Seville FC 0Tweet
CHELSEA got rid of the Barça phantom with a 1- 0 over current Euopean Champions FC BARCELONA.
The goal from DROGBA - pictured - in the 45min was enough to finally beat Barcelona & shake off the psychological uncertainty & inferiorty complex.
Barça goes into its local league clash this weekend against Real Madrid with a disadvantage, in that, Real Madrid ´s win last night gives it the confidence to see a victory as a real possibilty.
The other match saw a great VALENCIA beat Turkish side FC SHAKHTAR DONETSK2- 0 at home.
The star was DAVID VILLA who managed to score twice in the 29th & 44th min & gives his side tranquility from the second half.
Looks like Villa has hit a nice scoring patch which will be what´s needed for Valencia to consolidate itself locally & in the European League.Tweet
Please forgive me SFS readers, been away on business & was´nt able to give you yesterdays STEAUAv REAL MADRID Champions Group E round -up. Here is a quick summary 1- 4 victory to Real Madrid & a magnificent game from ROBINHO, which is great news for the side & gives confidence for next weekends clash with FC BARCELONA.
Check VAN NISTELROOYS goal against STEAUA, very very nice.
REAL MADRID play tonight in Bucharest against STEUA as part of its Group E qualifier.
Real is going through a bad patch & is not playing up to its expect standards, a win tonight will be vital as many are beginning to question Fabio Capello, who is rumoured to have giving his resignation after last Saturday´s terrible game & loss to Getafe in the Spanish League.
In order to find a balanced side, its commented that Emerson will be sacrificed to give way to young Spanish player JAVI GARCIA & Brazilian ROBINHO will also play.
While we are on Real Madrid, Spanish daily Marca, reports that there are Real agents speaking & about to shut the transfer of Brazilian & Fluminense player, MARCELO, to replace the vacant right - back spot, after injuries to Salgado & Cicinho.
If this gose through, the player can be in Madrid for January 2007.
Real agents are also going to Argentina to attempt to lure Boca Junior player & midfielder GAGO.
Lastly, FRANCE FOOTBALL has given its list of 50 candidates for this years prestigious GOLDEN BALL AWARD. Only 4 Spaniards appear in that list CESC (pictured) , FERNANDO TORRES, PUYOL & DAVID VILLA. None of these players will win, but it shows the changing of old for new names & thats always fresh.
Putting my grain of sand to help contribute in expanding Spanish Football - Soccer | Sports abroad. An ex-amateur Footballer long ago - alias Striker - is now a fan that has the game embedded in his Football - Soccer Sports heart.
